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Commission withdraws naming item for Police Memorial Park pickleball courts after stakeholder concerns
Summary
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission voted to withdraw, without prejudice, an agenda item to name new pickleball courts at Police Memorial Park after stakeholders and elected representatives asked for more consultation.
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission on May 6 withdrew, without prejudice, a proposal to name newly built pickleball courts at Police Memorial Park, 3250 Metro Academy Way, after stakeholders and elected representatives raised concerns and asked for further consultation.
The item was pulled after the city’s deputy parks director, Pat O'Mara, told the commission that several stakeholders and the council office had not been consulted about the naming survey and asked that Councilwoman Allen Plinske’s office be given time to hold conversations with law enforcement and other interested parties.
The matter drew public comment before formal discussion. Former commissioner (and public commenter) Carolyn Sherman asked the commission to postpone action so the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department could decide whether a park substructure should bear a private individual’s name. Sherman noted the site’s history as a memorial to fallen officers and urged the commission to “consider making a motion that no action be taken for agenda item 8,” to give the department “more leeway in determining if a park or a substructure can be named after one of their own.”
Sarah Burick, special assistant to Councilwoman Allen Plinske, read a letter from Sheriff Kevin McMahill asking that the court be named for a fallen officer. In that reading, the sheriff wrote that Police Memorial Park “holds profound significance within our community” and asked the commission to “name the new Pickleball Court in honor of one of our fallen officers.” Burick also relayed Councilwoman Plinske’s statement that she does not support naming the courts at this time and supports further discussions with law enforcement entities.
After the statements, Commissioner Vocus moved to withdraw the agenda item “without prejudice.” The motion was seconded by Commissioner Neuer. The commission called the question; the chair recorded an affirmative voice vote and said the motion “carries unanimously.”
Discussion vs. decision: the meeting record shows public comment and stakeholder statements (discussion) and a formal action to withdraw the item (decision). No new naming decision or designation was made; the withdrawal preserves the city’s ability to bring the item back later.
What’s next: the deputy director said the department will allow the council office and law enforcement to hold further conversations; the item may return at a future date if stakeholders reach agreement. The commission took no final naming action on May 6.
Ending: The withdrawal leaves the courts unnamed at Police Memorial Park and gives local officials and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department time to consult with families, stakeholders and the council office before the commission considers the matter again.
